NYRA/Coglianese Photo

NYRA to host Fabulous Fillies Day at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

NYRA to honor pioneering female jockey Barbara Jo Rubin

Two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan will meet fans as part of celebration 

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will celebrate women and their contributions to both the thoroughbred industry and the world of sportsduring Fabulous Fillies Day on Thursday, August 8 at Saratoga Race Course. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness during their visit to Saratoga Race Course.

The day will include a luncheon at The Rail at the 1863 Club, the all-new hospitality venue located on the Clubhouse turn, to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) which will honor the first female jockey to win a race against men at a nationally recognized racetrack in the United States.

NYRA will also celebrate local breast cancer survivors in partnership with To Life!

Additionally, fans will have an opportunity to meet several legendary female athletes, including world-class figure skating champion and two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan who is representing the Aurora Games, the inaugural, all-women's sports and entertainment festival slated to take place in Albany, NY, later this month.

"Fabulous Fillies Day is an annual tradition of our summer meet and we are pleased this year to highlight the accomplishments of women in both the thoroughbred and sports industries," said NYRA CEO & President Dave O'Rourke. "We encourage fans to join us as we celebrate these great achievements while raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research."

The day will get underway with a special all-female edition of Talking Horses hosted by NYRA TV racing and paddock analysts Acacia Courtney and Maggie Wolfendale who will offer analysis of the day's race card beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon to benefit BCRF

Pioneering jockey Barbara Jo Rubin will be the guest of honor at the Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon, presented by vineyard vines. Fifty years ago, Rubin catapulted to stardom when she became the first female jockey to win against men at Charles Town. She soon after became the first female to win in New York at Aqueduct Race Track.

The Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon will get underway at 11 a.m. at the all-new 1863 Club. Emmy-nominated reporter and breast cancer survivor Mary Morin Carlin will emcee the event which will feature guest speaker Dr. Larry Nortonof Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Currently the Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, Dr. Norton has served as Scientific Director of BCRF since its inception in 1993.

A limited number of tickets are available to the luncheon and may be purchased online at: https://www.playforpink.org/event/saratoga-hat-luncheon-2019/.

Later in the afternoon, NYRA will honor local breast cancer survivors in the winner's circle prior to several races. The ceremonies are held in partnership with the local non-profit organization To Life!, which provides personalized breast cancer education and support services.

Meet and greet with Olympic medalists to promote Aurora Games

Fans will have the opportunity to meet several legendary female athletes during an autograph session to promote the inaugural Aurora Games, a six-day, six-sport, all women's sports and entertainment festival taking place August 20 - 25 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY.

World-class figure skating champion and two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan, two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona, and Australian tennis champion Rennae Stubbs will meet with fans at the Times Union Gazebo, presented by NYRA Bets, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The Times Union Gazebo is located next to Dunkin' outside of Guest Services.

The foundation of the Aurora Games is a team sports competition, Team Americas vs. Team World, featuring world-class athletes from gymnastics, figure skating, tennis, beach volleyball, ice hockey and basketball competing for the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Trophy. 

"Best in Pink" fashion contest offers fans chance to win VIP package

Fans will be invited to participate in the third annual "Best in Pink" fashion contest, presented by vineyard vines. Fans are encouraged to wear their most fashionable outfit - prominently featuring pink - for the chance to win a special prize package.

Fans can enter to win by having their photo taken at the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. One woman and one man will be selected as the contest winners by a panel of judges.

Each winner will receive a vineyard vines prize package valued at $1000, including a $500 vineyard vines gift card and merchandise.

The Fabulous Fillies Day celebration will be highlighted on-track with decorative pink bunting and flowers. The iconic Sea Hero statue in the paddock will be draped with a pink horse blanket.

The Community Outreach Booth will host Floyd Warriors, an organization dedicated to supporting and inspiring individuals and families from the Capital Region who have been recently diagnosed with cancer.

The 2019 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Racing at Saratoga is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.